TACOMA, Wash. – Max Lommen found Dempsey Roggenbuck for the game-winning layup as the Linfield men's basketball team clawed its way back to erase a 15-point deficit in a 69-67 win over Puget Sound to open Northwest Conference play Friday night at Memorial Fieldhouse.
 
The Loggers took an early 45-33 lead into halftime, but the Wildcats marched back in the second half, outscoring UPS 36-22. The Wildcats improved their shooting by more than 20 percent in the second half, connecting on 57.14 percent from the field. The 'Cats dominated in the paint with 38 points while also scoring 22 points on 19 UPS turnovers.

"We were fortunate tonight to beat UPS," head coach Shanan Rosenberg said. "They played hard and physical and made things tough on us."
 
Roggenbuck and Lommen, both fifth-year seniors, each scored 13 points. Roggenbuck made 5 of 13 from the field while Lommen had a double-double that included 11 rebounds to go with four assists and a steal. A top duo in the NWC, Roggenbuck and Lommen have registered double figures in all five games this season.
 
Freshman point guard Trey Bryant also scored 13 points, connecting on 5 of 7 from the field and 3 of 5 from the charity stripe. He also had seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Senior forward Aaron Baune dropped a team-high 15 points with six rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block in the win, going 6 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from three-point range.

"Aaron, Max and Trey all made huge plays down the stretch for us," Rosenberg said. "We rebounded with much more passion and purpose in the second half."
 
The Loggers got off to a hot start, shooting 42.86 percent from the field and 44.44 percent from beyond the arc in the first half. The 'Cats bounced back out of the break, holding UPS to 33.33 percent shooting from the field and 16.67 percent from deep. The Loggers also made just 57.14 percent of their free throws in the second half.
 
Paul Johnson and Mussie Teclemariam paced the Loggers offensively. Johnson finished with a game-high 17 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. He knocked down 6 of 18 from the field. Teclemariam posted double digits with 14 points on 5 of 6 shooting. Cal Hansen just missed double figures with nine points while Liam Ruttledge had eight.
 
NEXT
The 'Cats (3-2, 1-0 NWC) are back at home on Saturday, hosting Lewis & Clark at 6 p.m. in the nightcap of the first doubleheader of the season.